Advice from Dear Webby
Friends don't chip in for Gas

Pain in the Gas

Dear Pain,

The deal should have been made when you first started to drive: Whoever drives, the others should pay for the gas. Or if you want it could be a four way split.

Here are a few ideas on how Webby would handle it. The best way is to be honest. As you know, honesty is the best policy. Tell them upfront that the price of gas has gotten too expensive for you to pay for it alone (don't feel uncomfortable - they are the ones that should be).

Or, you could have an almost empty tank and stop for gas at the beginning of the trip. Give a big WOW when you get the bill say "this has to be the last trip because it is getting too expensive for me unless you gals want to chip in."

Would it be easier, my shy friend, for you to ask your close friend to suggest to the others that everyone share the expense? Do any of the others drive? If so maybe you could suggest taking turns driving.

When one person does all the driving or entertaining - for whatever reason - the rest of the group should and must step up and find ways to equal things out.

This is not only fair but also the proper, cultured thing to do. Sometimes the shy and kind are taken advantage of by the moochers (Not to say your friends are moochers. They might just be naive or perhaps you have given the impression that you want to treat).

Either way take a deep breath, straighten up and get your backbone back. And enjoy your excursions.

Good luck,